What Are the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin?
Publish Date: Oct 5, 2025 • Written by: Marketing
What Are the Best Face Creams for Oily Skin?
No matter how oily your skin gets by mid-day, a proper face cream is essential for supplying hydration, and that’s where a gel moisturizer for oily skin steps in. (Hydration means supplying water, whereas moisturizing refers to oil to seal it in; your skin needs both to look and feel its best.)
The right face cream can hydrate your skin, balance oil, and improve your complexion. In this article, we’ll break down what to look for in a face cream for oily skin and highlight some of the best options you can find (especially in Nigeria.
Many of these finds are formulated particularly for oily skin types, meaning they’re packed with heavy-hitting hydrators like hyaluronic acid alongside mattifying, pore-unclogging, and oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid. And before you ask: Yes, people with oily skin do need to use moisturizer.
Why Oily Skin Still Needs Face Cream
Before naming products, let’s clear a misconception: oily skin does need a moisturizer. When you strip your skin with harsh cleansers or skip hydration, your skin overcompensates by producing more oil. A well-formulated face cream can help regulate that.
Dermatologists advise choosing lightweight moisturizers, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and oil-free or gel-based. Healthline emphasizes that even those with excess oil should still moisturize to maintain skin barrier health.
What to Look for in a Face Cream for Oily Skin
Here are features and ingredients that separate good options from bad ones.
- It must be oil-free / non-comedogenic: This prevents clogged pores and breakouts
- Lightweight texture (gel, water-gel, gel-cream): It absorbs oil quickly without the usual heavy, greasy feel.
- Humectants (e.g., hyaluronic acid, glycerin): These pull moisture into the skin without adding oil
- Sebum-regulating actives: Chemicals like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or oil-absorbing powders
- Mattifying agents: These contain silica and clay elements that help to reduce shine
Also, local climate matters. In humid, hot places like many Nigerian cities, heavy creams often feel too rich or sticky. Lighter textures perform better under heat.
Top Face Creams & Gel-Creams for Oily Skin You Can Try
Below are some of the standout options (global and locally available) that align with the criteria above.
This one is often recommended for oily or combination skin. It’s oil-free, contains niacinamide to control sebum, and uses silica to absorb excess oil. Many Nigerian skincare retailers stock it.
Lightweight and non-comedogenic, this gel-cream is a favorite for oily skin. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration without heaviness.
This is more Nigeria-centric. It’s designed for oily skin, often marketed locally as “oil control” and praised for its lightweight, non-greasy texture.
Eucerin DermoPurifyer Oil Control Facial Toner is specially formulated for blemish- and acne-prone skin. It effectively cleanses the skin to clarify and unblock pores, resulting in a clear-looking complexion.
When selecting among these or any other options, always do a patch test (behind the ear or along the jawline) before applying to your entire face, especially if you have sensitive skin or are mixing with actives like acids or retinoids.
How to Use Face Creams in an Oily Skin Routine
Choosing the right cream is half the battle. How and when you use it matters just as much.
- Cleanse gently, twice a day. Use a gentle cleanser that removes oil and impurities without stripping the skin too much.
- Apply active treatments (serums, actives) on damp skin.
- Seal with your face cream. Since oily skin needs moisture too, use your cream after treatments to lock in hydration.
- Use sunscreen daily. Even oily skin needs UV protection. Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic SPF.
- Use blotting sheets (optional). During peak heat hours, lightly dab excess oil instead of layering more products.
Also, avoid skipping moisturizer in the hope of reducing oiliness—your skin will just overproduce to compensate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using thick creams under SPF: They can feel heavy and clog pores.
- Choosing products with heavy oils or waxes may exacerbate shine or cause breakouts.
- Layering too many thick products: This makes the skin’s health worse, especially in humid climates.
- Ignoring formulation over brand name: A “good brand” doesn’t guarantee a skin-friendly formula.
Conclusion
If you have oily skin, following a daily skin care regimen is the best way to reduce breakouts and control shininess. Cleansing, toning, treating your skin, and moisturizing both morning and night are key steps in a daily skin care routine.
Choosing the right products, wearing sunscreen, using blotting papers, and washing your face after exercising can also reduce oiliness and help keep your skin clear and healthy. At Beyond Medplus, we prioritize authenticity, so every product we carry is vetted and genuine.
Working with a dermatologist is the best way to address skin concerns if OTC products don’t seem to be working for you, and we've also got you covered.. Reach out to us today!